Drip, drip, drip — an irritating sound that nobody wants to hear. Because it typically indicates costly fixes to your plumbing systems. That’s why it is essential to keep your plumbing in good condition, helping create a cosy and comfortable home for you and your loved ones. Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you can adopt routine preventive maintenance, which includes fixing leaky taps, clearing clogged drains, and understanding the ways to tackle minor repairs. This will save you time and money, and also avoid the embarrassment of unforeseen breakdowns.
In this guide, we will take a deep dive into the top preventative plumbing maintenance tips to protect your water system and sustain your plumbing in tip-top shape.
1. Regular Inspection of Your Plumbing System
Regular inspection of your plumbing system is one of the key tips of preventive care. Through this, you can find faults in your plumbing systems before they become major ones and incur a significant cost.
- You can start by inspecting for leaks around sinks and toilets as well as behind devices, as these are the key spots where seepages frequently happen.
- If you find water marks on your walls, ceilings, and floorings, they may indicate concealed leaks demanding urgent repair.
- Plus, you should check exposed pipes for erosion, decomposition, or mineral build-up. These problems can deteriorate the pipes, resulting in a catastrophe over time.
- Remember to inspect pipe joints and fittings for any signs of damage or moisture.
- You need to test water pressure daily, which is also crucial to make sure it stays within the recommended range. The high water pressure adds additional pressure on pipes and fittings, increasing the chances of deterioration. For precise measurements, make sure to use a pressure gauge.
If you spot any distortions during these checks, it is necessary to reach out to an expert plumber quickly. By performing these inspections regularly, you can prevent expensive repairs and water damage later on.
2. Routine Drain Maintenance
For proper upkeep, it is crucial to keep your drains free and unblocked. You can start by preventing grease dumping, coffee dregs, and blocking agents from going down the sink. To catch hair and other remains, you can use strainers in your drainage systems to prevent obstructions.
- Kitchen Drains: To maintain clear and odour-free kitchen drains, it is helpful to flush them on a regular basis using hot water. This helps dissolve accumulated fats and grease. For an eco-friendly and effective cleaning solution, mixing baking soda with vinegar can eliminate waste and dirt without the need for strong chemicals, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.
- Bathroom Drains: To keep your shower and bathtub looking spotless and operating without any issues, it is essential to clear hair and soap residue buildup regularly. An effective maintenance routine, like once a month, which involves applying a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, helps dissolve persistent deposits. By following this treatment with a flush of hot water, you can make sure your fixtures stay clear and free-flowing.
3. Watch Out for Toilet Leaks
While a significant leakage in your residential plumbing generally needs a certified plumber to fix, it is essential to be familiar with subtler issues in toilets that waste water and result in distress if overlooked.
Periodically inspect around your toilet bowl for any puddles of water on the flooring or drips from beneath the tank. You can tighten the floor or tank bolts to fix these problems. However, if the issue originates from the wax ring or tank gaskets, more effort will be needed to repair it. You can handle these issues quickly to prevent more serious water damage.
More often, a hidden leak in your toilet can be tougher to detect, as it may be nearly invisible until tested. You might occasionally see the tank refilling without any apparent reason. To check for a water leak, add a few drops of food colouring to the tank and wait approximately 30 minutes. If coloured water appears in the bowl during this period, it indicates that a component, such as the flapper, may be damaged or worn out. This suggests that repair or replacement may be necessary.
You do not need to wait for visible signs to inspect these toilet leakages. You should regularly watch for observable leaks and conduct the food colouring test once or twice to be one step ahead of problems.
4. Water Heater Maintenance
To ensure the permanence and effectiveness of your water heater, regular maintenance is necessary. You can flush it daily to avoid residue build-up. Pay attention to signs like corroded water that indicate when it is the right time for an inspection and replacement. Additionally, incorporating yearly inspections from a certified plumber into your household maintenance routine can eliminate unanticipated failures.
- Drain and Clean Your Water Heater: Periodically flushing your water heater helps eliminate accumulated residue, boosting its efficacy and extending its lifespan.
- Identify Early Warning Signs: Noticeable issues like discoloured water or inadequate supply of hot water could indicate the need for servicing or component replacement.
- Schedule Professional Maintenance: Having expert inspections each year can stop unforeseen failures and ensure your water heater runs efficiently.
5. Avoid Over-Tightening Valves
When working on your residential plumbing systems, many people believe that securing connection points more tightly ensures greater safety. However, tightening screws and nails, valves, and plumbing fittings too much can cause more damage than benefit. This error frequently results in:
- Cracked Fittings
- Stripped Threads
- Leaking
- Compromised Seals
- Unnecessary Stress
While applying additional force to over-tighten your water faucets might seem more protective, it can have the opposite effect. This can cause an insecure connection that might fail when burdened and lead to surprising pools on the floor.
To prevent these issues, you should tighten your plumbing fittings sufficiently to avoid leakages. For this, you can use appropriate tools and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are uncertain, it is safer to play it safe or seek advice from a professional plumber instead of risking damage to your fittings.
6. Be Mindful of What You Place in Your Garbage Disposal
Having a garbage disposal in your culinary space offers excellent accessibility. However, it is essential to recognise some limitations. Placing mismatched items into the disposer can lead to instant issues and those that may not become obvious for some time.
You need to prevent placing high-fibre foods, raw starches such as rice and pasta, etc., in the disposal. These can damage the unit, block your drainpipe, or impair its inner mechanisms. Hard objects like stones, bones, and others will definitely harm the blades and are often hard to clear out.
Finally, pouring grease, particularly heated oil, down the gutter or disposer might appear harmless. Nevertheless, the material promptly cools in your plumbing system, solidifies into a solid, and can cause obstructions more deeply in your pipes over time. Rather, you need to store the grease in an airtight container and dispose of it in the trash.
7. Drip Faucets During the Winter Season
The kinetic energy generated by even minimal movement of water is enough to stop your faucets and pipes from being chilly. If you reside in colder regions, letting faucets drip during winter might be a crucial precaution.
It is a good idea to drip your taps if temperatures drop below 20°F for 3 hours or more. However, if your winters are usually mild, you can generally keep your faucets off without any stress.
Determining which faucets should be dripped depends on their placement within your home. Typically, faucets connected to surface-mounted pipes or situated near poorly insulated walls are especially prone to freezing and should be left dripping in cold weather.
Don’t forget to drip each bathroom shower head, as they are often ignored. For complete protection, ensure at least one faucet is left dripping in each section of your house, protecting your plumbing system from possible winter damage.
8. Employ the Appropriate Tools for Effective Drain Upkeep
Dealing with a blocked toilet can be infuriating and stressful, especially when it disturbs your daily routine. Although quick fixes such as chemical drain cleaners seem attractive for rapid results, they can be more destructive in the long run. However, opting for the manual tools provides a harmless and more dependable way to remove both minor and major blockages. For minor obstructions caused by grime, wreckage, or food waste, a plunger and pipe wrench can often do the trick. But for more severe blockages, you can use a drain snake or auger to reach and dislodge persistent clogs deep within your plumbing system.
Employing proper plumbing tools protects your pipes from getting damaged and ensures optimal drainage performance. Relying heavily on chemical cleaners can erode the inside of pipes over time, leading to costly repairs.
To keep your drainage system in good condition proactively, ensure you have essential tools ready, such as:
- A cleaning brush for traps
- A wet/dry vacuum for stubborn clogs
- A flange plunger for toilets
- A drain snake for deep blockages
- A cup plunger for sinks
- Enzyme-based cleaners
For added comfort and ease when dealing with issues, consider keeping these tools in a sturdy caddy stored beneath your sink. You should reserve a regular drain cleaning with a specialised team, especially if you notice slow drainage, as this can help avoid future backups and emergency plumbing pitfalls. Addressing drain problems with the correct approach not only safeguards your plumbing but also ensures your household runs smoothly.
9. Maintain Clear Drains
Keeping drain systems clear is essential to avoid moisture damage in your residence. Regular maintenance helps avoid expensive repairs and preserves your plumbing system’s integrity. Using strainers at drain openings helps prevent debris from causing clogs. Natural cleaning agents like lemon juice, vinegar, and essential oils can also help in resolving minor blockages effectively. For stubborn jams or persistent clogs, it is ideal to contact experienced plumbing service providers from reputable companies to ensure proper resolution. Routine drain upkeep not only keeps your plumbing systems operating seamlessly but also prevents common obstructions and potential water damage.
10. Turn Off Outdoor Fixtures According to the Seasons
It is important to prepare your outdoor plumbing fittings for the seasonal changes. If feasible, turn off the supply of water to items such as pipes, taps, sprinkler systems, and backflow devices. Additionally, ensure they are drained and insulated before cold weather sets in. Doing so helps prevent potential damage from chilled water, which could cause pipes to burst. It is also recommended to detach garden hoses and remove any remaining water to prevent freezing inside them.
Based on your location, you may need to consider blowing out your sprinkler system and following a sprinkler winterisation process. This will help keep your irrigation system safe and properly maintained during the colder months. You should regularly monitor your local weather conditions and adhere to relevant regulations for your area.
If unsure, seek advice from a professional regarding proper winterisation methods to safeguard your outdoor fixtures and pipes.
11. Check Your Water Pressure
There was a moment when you looked ahead to pouring only to find the water pressure dropping slowly? You are not into this alone. Although it’s not a frequent concern, maintaining proper water pressure is crucial for your home’s health.
Lower water pressure results in more extended times for doing dishes or taking fast showers. Excessive water pressure can lead to leaks or pipe blasts because pipes are not designed to withstand such heavy pressure. That is why maintaining balance is key.
You can check your water pressure with the assistance of a pressure gauge attached to an outdoor faucet. It indicates that the pressure is either steep or deficient. Another helpful step is to install a pressure controller, which keeps your water pressure within a healthy range. With the help of both these tools, you will be able to manage your utility bills more effectively.
12. Fix Leaking Faucets and Showerheads
Even a minor drip can lead to significant water waste, amounting to up to 180 gallons per week. This not only raises your utility bills but also gradually erodes your plumbing fixtures. Common causes of leaky faucets include corroded valve seats, worn washers, and defective O-rings.
You can inspect your faucets and showerheads on a regular basis for indications of leaks. Make sure to never forget about inspecting under sinks while the water is flowing – concealed leakages often go unnoticed and leave behind stains. If you have no idea about the origin of a leak and want to make sure your overall home’s plumbing is functioning correctly, think about scheduling a professional plumbing inspection.
If tightening the faucet does not stop the leak, you need to change the washer or valve. Taking action at the early stages can conserve water and help avoid pricey repairs later. Stubborn leaks might also be caused by high water pressure or aged pipes. You can address these problems before they escalate to improve water efficiency and keep your plumbing system running smoothly.
Maintaining your bathroom plumbing is essential for overall home care, as it helps prevent more significant issues in the future.
13. Perform an Annual Inspection of Your Sewer Drains
Regular inspections of your drainage system checks are essential if your residence is attached to a septic tank or the wastewater line. With time, waste such as grease and fallen tree roots can block pipes, causing sewage backups, foul odours, or harm to your drains.
If not addressed, clogged sewer drains can lead to:
- Sewage backups: Waste and wastewater might not flow into the septic tank or sewer system, leading to backups into the house.
- Foul odours: Blockages can trap and release unpleasant smells.
- Drain damage: Clogs can exert pressure on pipes, resulting in cracks or leaks.
- Pest infestations: Stagnant wastewater can attract pests.
- Water build-up: Sewage may contaminate nearby water sources in some cases.
- Costly repairs: Addressing small problems early can help avoid expensive repairs later.
Scheduling an annual expert CCTV drain inspection is a bold approach to maintaining your plumbing system. Our skilled plumbers use advanced camera technology and hydro-jetting equipment to detect and eliminate blockages before they lead to costly repairs or damage. If your property has mature trees, old pipes, or a history of slow drainage, it’s recommended to have inspections twice annually. This method helps prevent root intrusion, pipe corrosion, and other typical problems, keeping your drainage system in excellent condition throughout the year.
14. Keep Your Heater Running During Winter Holidays
If you plan a winter escape, turning your heat off to reduce electricity costs can be a perfect idea, yet it also poses threats to your pipes. Water within pipes freezes, causing it to expand and possibly rupture if temperatures drop below the freezing point.
Before you leave, you need to make sure your resident’s thermostat is fixed at a minimum of 13°C (55°F). This is particularly essential for unheated zones like underground rooms, lofts, and utility rooms, where visible pipes are more susceptible to freezing. If your plumbing is located in an outside space or a garage, consider positioning a small space heater there as well to keep the ambient temperature safe.
Performing a quick inspection of your plumbing system is a crucial step in preventative care. By checking pipe insulation and addressing any high-risk areas, you can prevent problems like ice-blocked pipes, water damage, and expensive urgent repairs. You can make it a routine to check these components prior to leaving your home or during regular upkeep to ensure your plumbing stays in optimal condition.
Incorporating this into your plumbing upkeep list helps protect your residence and can control the stress of a burst pipe situation.
15. Develop a Schedule for Seasonal Plumbing Maintenance
Proactively maintaining your plumbing system is essential to prevent expensive repairs. A periodic care schedule helps keep your plumbing in optimal condition year-round.
- In spring, carefully inspect all pipes for potential damage caused by winter freezes and cold weather effects.
- Summer checks should include inspecting sprinkler systems for leaks, outdoor taps for proper operation, and water pressure levels.
- Fall is the perfect season to insulate exposed pipes and shut off outdoor water supplies to avoid freezing damage in cold weather.
- In winter, check for dripping taps, set the thermostat properly for indoor heating, and ensure pipe insulation is intact and effective.
Following a scheduled maintenance plan for these tasks helps detect issues early and minimises the need for emergency repairs.
What is a Computerised Maintenance Management System?
A Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a software that assists firms in managing and enhancing their maintenance operations. It centralises maintenance data, monitors assets, schedules preventive tasks, supervises work orders, and analyses upkeep data. Essentially, it is a digital system that replaces traditional paper and spreadsheet methods for managing maintenance activities.
Core Functions of CMMS
Work Order Management: CMMS systems enable users to create, assign, monitor, and finalise work orders. These systems also support effective task management and quick completion of maintenance events.
Asset Management: They monitor and oversee all assets, providing details on their location, state, upkeep history, and related expenses. This supports making informed decisions on maintenance and replacement planning.
Preventive Maintenance: CMMS handles the booking and monitoring of preventive maintenance automatically, depending on time, usage, or other predefined criteria. This helps reduce downtime and extend the equipment’s life.
Inventory Management: These systems manage spare parts and materials required for upkeep, ensuring the availability of the correct items when needed to minimise downtime caused by missing parts.
Reporting & Analytics: CMMS produces reports covering different facets of upkeep moves, such as work orders, asset performance, fees, and downtime. This information assists in pinpointing patterns, refining maintenance strategies, and supporting better decision-making.
Mobile CMMS App: Modern CMMS solutions typically feature mobile applications that enable technicians to view and update work orders, monitor inventory, and handle tasks remotely, thereby improving flexibility and productivity.
Predictive Maintenance: Most of the CMMS systems connect with sensors and IoT devices to collect real-time information on asset performance. This data helps indicate possible problems and plan maintenance proactively, reducing downtime.
Regulatory Compliance: CMMS helps associations stay compliant with security and regulatory standards by providing audit trails and comprehensive maintenance records.
How Can a CMMS Assist with Plumbing Preventative Maintenance?
A CMMS improves preventative plumbing maintenance by centralising scheduling, tracking, and management. It avoids failures, prolongs the system’s expected life, and optimises resources.
Here’s how a CMMS supports preventative plumbing maintenance:
Scheduling and Automation
Automated Scheduling: CMMS systems can help book preventative maintenance tasks for plumbing systems, depending on time spans like monthly, quarterly, or event-driven triggers such as after a certain number of uses.
Recurring Maintenance: The system can set up frequent maintenance schedules for specific plumbing parts or overall systems, guaranteeing regular inspections and upkeep.
Task Assignment: CMMS enables managers to allocate preventative maintenance tasks to particular technicians or teams, taking into account their aptitudes, availability, and workload.
Tracking and Reporting
Work Order Management: CMMS records all plumbing maintenance work orders, including repair history, parts utilised, and related costs.
Asset Management: The system keeps comprehensive records of plumbing assets, covering their specifications, buying date, warranty details, and maintenance history.
Performance Monitoring: CMMS can connect with sensors and monitoring devices to track plumbing system performance and detect potential issues before they escalate.
Reporting and Analytics: CMMS provides detailed reports on maintenance expenses, asset efficiency, and the success of preventative maintenance efforts, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Inventory Management
Parts Tracking: CMMS assists in managing the inventory of plumbing parts, making sure that the required components are accessible for preventative maintenance and repairs.
Automatic Reordering: The system can automatically initiate reordering of parts when inventory drops below a set threshold, helping to prevent delays in maintenance caused by parts shortages.
Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings
Reduced Downtime: By proactively resolving potential plumbing problems, CMMS reduces the risk of unexpected downtime and operational disruptions.
Extended Equipment Lifespan: Regular preventative maintenance prolongs the expected life of plumbing systems and helps avoid early replacements.
Optimised Resource Allocation: CMMS aids in optimising maintenance resource allocation, ensuring the right personnel and assets are available when needed.
Lower Maintenance Costs: By preventing major plumbing failures, CMMS reduces overall maintenance expenses associated with emergency repairs and equipment replacements.
Implementing a CMMS for preventative plumbing maintenance allows organisations to enhance efficiency, lower costs, and guarantee the dependable operation of their amenities.
Concluding Thoughts!
Hence, it is proven that integrating vital preventative maintenance tips into your plumbing routine saves you from the inconvenience and cost of frequent repairs. By performing routine upkeep, householders and companies can lower the expenses of plumbing repairs, reduce the chance of unexpected costs, and extend the lifespan and effectiveness of their plumbing systems. You can utilise specialised software, such as CMMS software or any maintenance system, to help you stay on schedule throughout the year.
To keep your plumbing system in top shape, consider following a few key tips, including regular leak checks, drain cleaning, tracking water pressure, and draining water heaters. Hiring skilled plumbing services not only provides assurance but also safeguards your investments. By emphasising plumbing maintenance, homeowners can benefit from a dependable and budget-friendly plumbing system!